1944
Virginia “Ginny” Skiff Brutschy died peacefully in Monterey, California, on July 1, 2016, after a brief illness. Ginny enjoyed sailing, attending opera and symphony performances in San Francisco, and traveling the world. She is survived by sons Mason S. Brutschy and Lance F. Brutschy and three grandchildren.
1948
Melissa Evans Lovelady died last fall in Los Angeles, California. She attended the Medical School of Technology at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and, after receiving her state and national licenses, worked in hematology research at UCLA. She enjoyed traveling to places like the Arctic, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
1949
Jacqueline “Jackie” Chinn passed away on Feb. 10, 2021, in Pueblo, Colorado, in the presence of family and a long-time caregiver. She taught journalism and algebra at Pueblo’s Centennial High School. She also taught at Southern Colorado State College and retired as an assistant professor at the University of Southern Colorado.
Katherine “Kay” Sanders Kitchen passed away peacefully at her home in Keswick, Virginia, on April 11, 2021. She taught elementary school before starting a family. Kay was a lifeguard and swimming instructor at The Broadmoor hotel and on Catalina Island in California. She participated in water ballet at Stanford University and enjoyed water aerobics into her nineties.
1952
Jack Stuart Ellenberger passed away in New York, New York, on Nov. 21, 2020. With a 40-plus-year career, Jack was a member of the American Association of Law Libraries Hall of Fame. He served in the U.S. Air Force before becoming the law librarian at the U.S. Department of Health and many law firms.
Charles “Carky” Rubens II passed away peacefully on April 29, 2021, in Scarsdale, New York. Carky served in the Army and then began his advertising career at Life magazine. He was advertising sales director at places like Time, Dreyfus Corporation, Sports Illustrated, and Money magazine. He was also an alumni trustee at CC. One of his four children, Peter Rubens ’81, attended CC as did his wife, Mary Crawford Rubens ’53.
1953
Judy Seitz Richmond died on March 5, 2021, in South Portland, Maine. Judy worked at General Engineering Laboratories of American Machine and Foundry Co. before co-founding Cycle Imports with her husband. She then became an emergency medical technician and electronic technician. Judy loved cycling, hiking, and traveling. She is survived by her son and daughter.
1954
Courtney “CoCo” Strang passed away after a brief illness on Jan. 13, 2021, in Newport News, Virginia. Coco worked as the activities director and social worker at a large nursing home in Maryland and was a master gardener. She is survived by her husband, Robert C. Strang ’52, three sons, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
1955
Joanne Hailer Engleson the wife of Gerald L. Engleson ’54, died on Sept. 7, 2020, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joanne is also survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority at CC. She later did some teaching, was a tour guide in Washington, D.C., and, along with her husband, conducted tours to Israel.
Milton Nichols of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2021. Milton served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56 and went on to be a commercial real estate broker and developer in Saint Paul, Minnesota, for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret, two sons, and a grandson.
1957
Elaine DuPuy Harder died on Feb. 1, 2021, in Junction City, Kansas. Elaine was an equestrian, rancher, farmer, and conservationist. She owned and operated the Sun Rock Ranch for over 40 years. At CC, she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and an avid tennis player.
Melvin Roy Stephens passed away in Colorado Springs on April 18, 2020. He studied business administration at CC.
1958
Miriam Joan Barrett Hazard passed away in her sleep at home in Colorado Springs on Dec. 1, 2020, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Joan is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gibson (Gib) DeKalb Hazard Jr. ’58, and their five children. She earned a bronze life master status in duplicate bridge and once won the ladies tennis singles at the Garden of the Gods Club.
Jane Snodgrass Houston passed away on Sept. 24, 2020, in Denver, Colorado. Jane worked for the Broomfield Star in advertising and then joined the public relations team at Tracey-Locke before starting her own public relations business. She was a master gardener and is survived by her husband, two daughters, and four grandchildren.
1959
Robert Lee Arko passed away on Aug. 1, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. Robert worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and later joined the police force in Coral Gables, Florida. He served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer before establishing his own security firm, Arko Executive Services.
Kristine Heyer Browne died on March 22, 2021, in Tingley, Iowa. She taught elementary school and then earned her degree as a licensed practical nurse. Kristen then earned her associate’s degree in counseling and later became a certified interior decorator. She was also an avid gardener, knitter, quilter, and antique enthusiast.
Barbara “Barbe” Jensen Dwyer died on Feb. 13, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after living courageously with cancer for 10 years. She embraced memories of her friends at CC, hockey games, socials at The Broadmoor, and the stunning views of Pikes Peak. She taught grade school in Denver and Minneapolis. Barbe is survived by five children and 11 grandchildren.
Nancy Morris Whitaker passed away at home on March 19, 2021, in North Platte, Nebraska. She worked as a social worker at the Denver Department of Welfare. Nancy was honored at the 10th annual Women of Achievement awards for her community service, including forming a senior center, after-school day camp for kids, and a La Leche League chapter. She was the first lady of North Platte from 1996-2004 when her husband served as mayor.
Jerome “Jerry” Berryman Woods Jr. passed away on March 21, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Jerry played football and coached at CC. He returned regularly for the annual alumni football game until he was declared “The Oldest Tiger Returning to the Lair.” He was a banker and is survived by his children, grandchildren, and partner Elizabeth Speir ’72.
1961
Jo Ann M. Flower passed away on March 26, 2020, in Harbor, Florida. Jo Ann worked as a legal assistant before retiring. She was an Alpha Phi at CC.
Sheldon Donald Ruda passed away on Sept. 22, 2017, in Rochester, New York. Sheldon is survived by his wife, Patricia, and a community of friends. He studied chemistry and volunteered at KRCC while at CC.
1962
John McClellan Dale of Aurora, Colorado, passed away April 3, 2021. John worked in many capacities during his long career in the Aurora Public schools, including teacher, reading specialist, administrator, tutor for homebound children, and count-less volunteer positions. He is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Glenn Francis Driscoll breathed his last breath in Seattle, Washington, on Nov. 8, 2020. Glenn served in the Army in Germany from 1945-46 and he was a teacher, director of counseling, and principal at Widefield School District in Colorado. After retiring, he focused on teaching teachers, volunteering, and exploring Colorado’s geologic and human history with his closest buddies.
Carol Smith Fisher passed away on April 22, 2020, in Urbana, Illinois. Carol was the director of development at the University of Illinois before retiring. She earned both an MFA and an MA at the university. She was a Gamma Phi Beta at CC.
1963
Dana “Dan” Edgar Ketchum Jr. passed away on Feb. 22, 2021, in Simi Valley, California. Dan was in the Army in the ’60s and worked as director of marketing for Arnold Magnetics Corporation. He was a Phi Gamma Delta at CC.
1964
Melinda Ann Wells McKnight passed away on March 30, 2021, at her home in Lawrence, Kansas. Melinda worked as a research associate at the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas. Before that, she taught second and fourth grade, GED courses, and she proofread and edited scientific journals for Allen Press in Lawrence, Kansas.
1965
Rev. Mary Elizabeth Bishop passed away on March 12, 2021, in Durham, North Carolina. Mary Beth was ordained through the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She worked for many years supporting Duke University Public Safety training. Mary Beth was a talented ceramics artist and opened her own home studio where she taught members of her community.
1966
David Thorp Van Ness died of COVID-19 on Jan. 7, 2021, in Colorado Springs. David was an avid Denver Broncos fan and also enjoyed skiing and playing bridge. In 2016, David was voted small business champion by the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center for his work at Old Colorado City Associates Ltd. and Compass Computer Solutions.
1967
Donald “Don” DeWitt died on April 13, 2021, in Eugene, Oregon. Don taught at Shasta High School in Redding, California, and English at South Eugene High School in Oregon until retiring in 1998. He was a lifelong runner and ran every distance recording over 24,000 miles (roughly the Earth’s circumference) after his initial diagnosis with heart disease in 2003.
1969
On April 13, 2021, Charles “Charlie” Matteson passed away in Colorado Springs. Charlie married Georgia H. Matteson ’69 in the CC chapel in 1969. Charlie spent his early career in the backwoods of Alaska and Colorado mapping drainages and scouting mineral deposits for the U.S. Geological Survey and was the former CEO and president of the Comfort Zone.
1974
Marian McMath Edwards Bateman died peacefully at her home on Feb. 23, 2021, in Ojai, California. She had valiantly endured stage 4 breast cancer for 12 years. Marian was an active member of the Peace Coalition and United Farm Workers and was executive director of the University of Austin YWCA 1981-84. She was an avid traveler and had a marvelous singing voice.
Captain George Olando Love (Ret.) died on Jan. 24, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. George played football at CC and joined the Denver Fire Department, where he was a founding member of the Colorado Black Professional Firefighters Association, Denver chapter. He led the effort to place a statue at Station 10 honoring the contributions and service of Black Firefighters past, present, and future.
Clyde W. Smith of Santa Monica, California, passed away on Nov. 25, 2020. Clyde was an Emmy-winning director of photography who shot music videos with the likes of Weird Al Yankovic and Jeff Foxworthy. He also filmed award show sequences including the opening to the Oscar ceremonies with Billy Crystal.
1975
Paul Douglas Estlund passed away on March 19, 2021, in Aurora, Colorado. Paul served in the U.S. Air Force in both Belgium and Colorado Springs. He worked in the Animal Pharmaceutical Industry as a sales representative and later started his own company selling home care medical equipment.
1977
Deborah “Deb” Jeanne Chaloud passed away after a brief and brave struggle with cancer on Aug. 3, 2020, in Henderson, Nevada. Deb worked at Lockheed Martin in the environmental safety and health division and then at the Environmental Protection Agency. She was a naturally gifted seamstress who enjoyed creating clothing and cross stitch in her spare time.
1978
Craig Buckham died on Feb. 13, 2021, from a hard-fought battle with lung cancer in Seattle, Washington. Craig worked at Boeing Flight Controls for 38 years. Craig received a Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and also earned his wings as a private pilot.
1980
Dr. Patricia Rodriguez Hernandez passed away peacefully in El Paso, Texas, on March 7, 2021. Patricia played basketball at CC. She began her career working at a women’s battered shelter. For years, Patricia worked in the Clint, El Paso, and Socorro school districts as a teacher, coach, and diagnostician.
1987
Dr. Kurt M. Miller, DVM, of Wilmette, Illinois, died on April 1, 2021. Kurt opened the first veterinary hospital in Winnetka in 2007. Kurt could fish anywhere, and there was not a lake, stream, river, or pond that did not draw him in with some kind of a rod and reel or fly.
1988
Francis “Joyce” Smith Krenzin of Rockwall, Texas, passed away on Feb. 4, 2021, after suffering a stroke. Joyce taught English at Ysleta High School in the El Paso area and then at Pikes Peak Community College. She enjoyed the American Southwest and pursued a master’s degree in Southwest Studies at CC.
1990
Seth Andrew Bossung died in an avalanche while skiing on The Nose slope of South Lookout Peak near Silverton, Colorado, on Feb. 1, 2021. Seth was an architect and managed projects for Eagle County’s energy efficiency department. Seth is survived by his wife and two children.
Barbara Brennan Ritter died on Aug. 25, 2014, in Sun City, Arizona. Barbara was a widely influential teacher for over 25 years and an accomplished artist and painter. She is survived by four children and four grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, bridge, traveling, fashion, genealogy, and mostly time spent with family and friends.
1991
Dorothy Rice Thorne Brown passed away on March 24, 2016, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Dr. Walter John “Jay” Miller III, D.O., of Riverside, Illinois, passed away on April 13, 2009. Jay completed his residency in 2006 at Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. He was a 1997 graduate of Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and a member of the American College of Surgeons. He earned his fellowship at the Society of Surgical Oncology and the National Cancer Institute. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Miller, two daughters, and his in-laws.